Palm CEO says Europe gets Pre in the first half, too

According to the press materials, Palm hadn't intended to announce a timeframe for the 3G GSM version of the Pre this week, but Ed Colligan can pretty much do and say whatever he pleases -- it's one of the perks of wearing the CEO hat -- and he's apparently mentioned in an interview with IDG that it'll roll out in the first half of 2009. That puts the model right in line with the launch window for the CDMA-based Sprint version, giving the carrier virtually zero exclusivity on the global stage -- so if 1337 h4x0rz can figure out how to unlock the thing (and if we were betting folk, we'd wager they can), this all means EDGE-only Pres could end up on AT&T and T-Mobile USA lickety-split. Even if that means losing the European 3G guts, you know you'd buy it. Come on now, don't lie to yourself.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 2:55PM]

Chris: Why is that a French beret? Have you looked at a world map? Regardez that France is merely one country in a collection of countries of Europe?

[Taylor Yes Taylor Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:42PM]

1) It's funny.

2) There's no "europe hat." Should it wear a hat from every country? If a french person can have the phone, it indicates (with some interpretation) a version that works in europe, which is sufficient to explain the country.

3) Shut the f**k up.
-Taylor

[Taylor Yes Taylor Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:43PM]

*sufficient to explain the story, not country.

Sorry, I'm too busy doing something cool and awesome with attractive people to pay attention.... or something.
-Taylor

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 10th 2009 2:16PM]

Ummm actually that's an Israeli beret, an IAF (Israeli Air Force) beret to be specific.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 2:23PM]

We can unlock it cuz we are l33t.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 2:40PM]

I think I can hold out for some US 3G. I think.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:16PM]

According to Palm's press release, there are NO plans for American UMTS/HSPA.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:41PM]

@moo moo - should he have used a Euro instead? freaking get a life. each country is different, but each is recognized as a piece of Europe. jeez. have you gotten a life lately?

@ backbeat - its called an exclusivity period. if they are doing UMTS/HSPA bands period, they will almost inevitably be producing a North American 3G version. remember Palm is trying to get back into the game and be a real player. not offering their new flagship to over of the US would be suicide, financially speaking.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:53PM]

HTC does not offer their flagship device to the US market, and they seem to be doing just fine.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 4:10PM]

Exclusivity has nothing to do with it. If it was, each cell parent company would not be obtaining distribution rights. That is not the case, as Palm [within the same press release] announced availability of EU HSPA. You can't have it both ways.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 6:53PM]

Man... I just cant help but think that this is what the SonyEriccson Paris should have been :-/

[ai4281 Posted Jan 10th 2009 3:34PM]

If Europe is getting Palm Pre, Canada better be getting it too soon. Please come to Telus!